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He pulls me into a tight hug. “There’s nothing wrong with being upset after what happened with Alaric,” Cassius whispers, “I sent him away for your own good, I hope you can see that someday.”
I wriggle out of his embrace and shake my head.
“Please don’t fuss over me. I’m completely healed, and… Alaric won’t be compelled forever.” There’s a twinge in my heart as I say his name.
He looks as if he wants to say more, but I don’t want to waste the extra time he’s unwittingly given me.
“I would like to go eat now,” I say, ducking under his arm and hurrying through the door.
It’s only a few hours head start, but every minute counts.
Turning left down the hall, I walk as quickly as I can toward the kitchens. I need to secure enough food to sustain me for a week—some dried fruits and meats and plenty of teek bread. While dense and dry, the small cakes are compact and filling making it perfect for long journeys.
I stand just outside the entrance to the kitchen and tap my finger against my chin.What can I tell the cook to keep her from being suspicious?
“What could you possibly be up to now?” Della asks.
I whip around to find her leaning against the wall behind me.
“Nothing,” I say, but the word is too sharp and too loud to be natural. “I’m getting something to eat.”
Della straightens and circles in front of me, blocking the door to the kitchen. “I don’t believe you.” She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t know how anyone ever does. You’re a terrible liar. Besides, I am fairly certain your meals are brought to your room.” Then as if she realizes something is off, her dark eyes dart around nervously. “Why are you roaming the halls without Cassius?”
“I told you. I need a few things.” I lean to look past her as a servant exits the kitchen with a tray.
Della grabs my hand, holding on to it in a strangely friendly manner. “I know what happened… You shouldn’t be outside your rooms alone like this… Wait.” She drops my hand. “Whatthingsdo you need from the kitchens?” she asks pointedly.
Demon shit. I said too much.
There’s no way she’ll stop digging until she knows everything. I chew on my bottom lip and debate what to do next. If I walk away now and go to my room, I’ll waste all my extra time trying to ease her suspicions. But maybe she’ll be willing to help, or at least keep quiet…
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
“A favor?” she repeats slowly.
“Yes, it’s a thing friends do for each other sometimes.”
Friends is a stretch, even by my standards, but I need to hurry.
Narrowing her eyes, Della steps forward and lowers her voice. “Out with it, or I will let Cassius know that you’re acting strange… stranger than normal.”
Her words sound cold, but if any other vampire catches me, both Cassius and I will have to answer to Elizabeth for my disobedience. I doubt either of us would make it out alive.
Then a thought strikes me. Could Dellaactuallycare?
“It’s a small favor,” I say.
She curls her fingers into her palm. “Stop procrastinating and tell me what you want.”
I pull in a breath then let it out, ready to tell her everything, but instead of the truth, what comes out is, “I haven’t been eating as much as I should, and sometimes at night, I want a snack.”
She sighs and grabs for me, but I step out of reach. “Clara, if you want a favor then you need to be honest, or I will drag you back to your room.”
“You have to promise not to say anything.”
“I knew you were up to something.” She hisses shakes her head, causing her smooth, black, shoulder-length hair to fan out. “But you know I can’t do that.”
My pulse drums in my veins. All hope of leaving tonight shatters. “Give me a day or two,” I plead. “I only need a little time.”
